Mrs. López and all of the Staff that had helped us it has been an absolute pleasure. They always had an answer to our questions and treated us with respect but most of all they listened.
Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
When dogs bite, they usually bite hard. Because dog owners have a responsibility to keep their pets from causing harm, a Lakeland dog bite attorney can help you hold the owner of the dog that bit you financially accountable.
Dog owners need to have control over their pets at all times. In an instant, a dog can go from sweet and loving to dangerous. The damage done by a canine attack can be serious, causing injured adults to need time off of work and children to be traumatized for the rest of their lives.
If you’re in need of a capable Lakeland dog bite lawyer who is well-versed in handling canine attack claims, reach out to our team at Lopez & Humphries, PA today.
Damage Done in a Canine Attack
Dog bite injuries can be quite severe. Left untreated, the lacerations caused by the dog’s teeth can become infected, leading to further health problems. Other common dog attack injuries could include damage to the spinal cord, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and disfigurement.
In particular, children who are victims of dog bites have been known to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nightmares—and, in severe cases, even amputations—following an attack by a canine.
The extent of the damage can be hard to measure in the aftermath of the attack, but a dog bite lawyer in Lakeland can help you wrap your head around the details of your personal injury claim.
Strict Liability vs. the One-Bite Rule
Florida follows strict liability for dog attacks. This means the owner of the dog will always be held accountable for the behavior of his or her animal. It also does not matter whether the dog has demonstrated aggressive behavior in the past or whether the owner knew of any aggression. If a dog bites a victim in Lakeland, the owner will almost always be liable for the damages.
The one-bite rule is one that many owners try to use as a defense to their case, although it does not apply in Florida. This rule essentially gives the dog a free pass for the first time it bites someone.
Due to Florida’s comparative negligence law, you can expect that the dog owner and his or her lawyer will try to make it seem like you provoked the dog in some way or were perhaps trespassing on the dog owner’s property. If the other side is able to successfully establish this, your awarded amount will be reduced by the percentage of blame the court decides you carry.
In addition, dog owners can sometimes escape liability for bites that occur on their property—even for invited guests who’ve been bitten—as long as there is an obvious sign that states “Beware of Dog” or something similar. You can bet the other side will try everything to avoid compensating you, which is why many canine attack victims work with a dog bite attorney in Lakeland.
Calculating What Your Lakeland Dog Bite Claim Is Worth
When we start calculating the value of your Lakeland dog bite claim, we consider the damages you’ve incurred and the effects of your injuries both now and in the future. Medical costs take priority because they are usually significant and a direct result of the injury you suffered.
Medical expenses would include your prescription medications, copays, hospital bills, medical equipment, and any other costs that pertain to your canine attack injuries. Apart from your medical bills, you should also receive compensation for any wages you lost while you were out of work and for loss of future earnings if you will no longer be able to retain your current position due to your injuries.
Finally, the losses you’ve endured that are not financial in nature, also known as non-economic damages, will be considered. These often include areas like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and the effects of a disfiguring injury. These losses can often be even more impactful than those that impact your ability to financially provide for your family.
Call a Lakeland Dog Bite Attorney
A dog attack can have devastating consequences. You might have to deal with the effects of serious injuries that could take a significant amount of time to recover from, as well as the burdens of household expenses and other bills that can’t be paid while you are out of work. That’s on top of the emotional trauma you’re likely to face.
Don’t get stuck with the responsibility of these losses if you don’t have to.
Call a Lakeland dog bite lawyer at Lopez & Humphries, PA for help holding the dog owner accountable for your injuries. You can schedule a free, no-obligation claim evaluation by filling out the convenient contact form at the bottom of this page or calling our office at (863) 774-3573.
Citations
Understanding PTSD
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
Dog owner’s liability for damages to persons bitten
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0767/Sections/0767.04.html
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do after a dog bite in Lakeland, Florida?
If you are bitten by a dog in Lakeland, get medical help right away, even for small wounds, since infections can develop quickly. Find out who owns the dog, collect their contact and insurance details, take photos of your injuries, and report the incident to animal control. Afterward, talk to a Lakeland dog bite lawyer.
2. Is Florida a strict liability state for dog bites?
Yes. In Florida, dog owners are responsible for injuries their dogs cause, even if the dog has never acted aggressively before.
3. Can a dog owner avoid liability for a bite that happens on their property?
Sometimes. Florida law lets dog owners reduce their liability for bites on their property if they post a clear “Beware of Dog” sign. Still, this rule does not cover every situation.
4. What damages can a dog bite victim recover in Florida?
Victims can get compensation for medical costs like hospital bills, medications, and rehab. They may also recover lost wages, future earning losses, pain and suffering, mental distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
5. Can children recover compensation for emotional trauma after a dog attack?
Yes. Children are especially at risk for emotional problems after a dog attack, such as PTSD, nightmares, and lasting anxiety. Florida law allows victims to recover for these emotional harms, and courts often take the impact on children very seriously.
6. What if the dog owner claims I provoked their dog?
Florida’s comparative negligence law means your compensation might be reduced if you were partly at fault, such as by provoking the dog or trespassing.
7. How is the value of a dog bite claim calculated in Lakeland?
The value of your claim depends on how serious your injuries are, how much medical care you need, how your ability to work is affected, and how the injury changes your daily life and mental health.
8. Which Lakeland law firm handles dog bite injury claims?
Lopez & Humphries, P.A. is a respected personal injury law firm in Lakeland with a lot of experience handling dog bite cases across Florida.
